Author: Darnell Thompkins

A bipartisan group of lawmakers wants to make it harder for drug dealers and predators to reach kids on social media, using the story of a 16-year-old boy who died as the human example driving the push. Lawmakers from both parties have coalesced around a single, uncomfortable truth: social platforms are channels where illegal activity and predation can reach children quickly. Republicans are pushing hard on accountability, arguing that platforms must do more than issue apologies after a tragedy. The conversation is no longer abstract – it features a real family, a real loss, and bipartisan pressure to change how…

The House of Representatives recently passed the Deporting Fraudsters Act, a measure designed to speed the removal of people here illegally who are found to have committed welfare fraud, and the vote split 231-186 with all opposition coming from Democrats. The bill cleared the House by a 231-186 margin, with every no vote cast by Democrats, signaling a sharp partisan divide on immigration enforcement and benefits integrity. Supporters framed the law as a straightforward fix to stop noncitizens from gaming taxpayer-funded programs. Opponents argued the measure trades nuance for a headline and raises civil liberties questions. Rep. David Taylor (R-OH)…

Florida enforces strict immigration measures that require local law enforcement to cooperate with federal authorities and ask patients about immigration status at hospitals, reflecting a state-first approach under Governor Ron DeSantis. Florida has put in place some of the toughest immigration rules in the nation, insisting local police work with federal authorities and even directing hospitals to ask patients about their immigration status. These moves are part of a broader effort to assert state authority over border-related challenges and to manage the local impact of illegal immigration. Supporters say the policies protect taxpayers and public safety; critics warn they risk…

Short take: A college basketball bench player with giant shoes and a small role has become a tournament favorite, turning limited minutes into a viral, feel-good story that lights up arenas and social feeds. He barely plays. He wears size 20 shoes. And somehow, he has become the most beloved player in the NCAA Tournament. That simple trio of facts captures why fans keep talking about him: his presence is more about personality and heart than minutes on the scoreboard. Coaches will tell you rosters are about depth, practice habits, and matchups, yet this story shows another side of the…

When the richest are pushed to pay more than what politicians call their “fair share,” the consequences ripple through investment, jobs, and civic life in ways voters and lawmakers need to reckon with. Ask whether the top earners should shoulder extra fiscal burden and you get more than a debate about fairness; you get real effects on economic choices and incentives. The phrase “fair share?” captures the political punch of the idea, but policy outcomes are where the argument lives or dies. From a Republican viewpoint, that tradeoff matters more than slogans. Higher marginal tax rates on high incomes change…

A fresh look at California testing shows per- and polyfluoralkyl substances (PFAS) turning up across many fruits, sparking questions about contamination routes, monitoring practices, and what it means for consumers and growers. Researchers who examined California pesticide testing data report that PFAS residues appeared in numerous produce samples, particularly in fruits. The findings are notable because PFAS are persistent chemicals that do not break down easily and can accumulate in the environment. That persistence raises obvious concerns when residues show up on food people eat every day. PFAS, short for per- and polyfluoralkyl substances (PFAS), is a broad class of…

The founders would be astonished to know the federal government now regulates education, health care, finance, energy, and practically every business in America, and this piece looks at how we got here, why it matters, and what a sensible path back to limited government looks like. Our Constitution set up a federal government with limited, enumerated powers, but over generations those limits blurred into near-blanket control. Today, federal rules shape curriculum, medical decisions, banking practices, and energy choices across the country. That concentration matters because decisions made far from local communities rarely fit local needs. The shift happened gradually, through…

Russian officials said Friday that Israel disrupted what it called legitimate trade with Iran after the Israel Defense Forces struck a major Caspian Sea port in northern Iran, targeting “dozens” of vessels. The accusation set off a sharp diplomatic exchange, with Moscow defending its commercial links while Israel framed its operation as a security move. The incident raises questions about freedom of navigation, regional stability, and how nations balance trade with countering hostile activity. The core allegation from Russian spokespeople is straightforward: Israel’s strikes interfered with commerce that Russia considers lawful. Moscow framed the port and the ships there as…

Universities are central players in national security, blending research, talent and partnerships in ways that shape the country’s defense and economic strength. “Daniel Diermeier, the chancellor of Vanderbilt University, explains the crucial role academic institutions play in the country’s national security ecosystem.” That sentence captures a simple truth: colleges are more than classrooms and dorms, they are hubs of advanced science, training grounds for skilled workers and sources of cutting-edge ideas. When these activities align with national priorities, the nation benefits; when they don’t, risks multiply. The stakes are too high for vague policies or wishful thinking. Universities produce the…

This piece argues that judicial hostility toward Donald Trump has become a defining problem, claiming that some judges are letting personal bias shape legal outcomes and eroding public confidence in the courts. Courts are supposed to be neutral referees, but too many Americans see a different picture: judges acting with a clear tilt against a particular political figure. The worry is not about rulings people disagree with, it’s about a pattern where decisions feel driven by dislike instead of law. That perception corrodes trust and hands opponents a powerful talking point. Legal professionals know the line between interpretation and advocacy,…